Chapter 604

In the administrative building's conference room, eyes fell upon Zhang Zhang Qingguo.

Principal Liu Liu Zengyin asked eagerly: "Zhang Qingguo, how is it? Do you know him?"

Zhang Zhang Qingguo's lips trembled, and it took a long time before he could speak with difficulty: "I know him, I just—I just saw him yesterday."

Hearing this, Liu Liu Zengyin and the others breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good! That's good!" Liu Liu Zengyin let out a long breath, as if grabbing a life-saving straw, "Since you know him, then things will be much easier to handle!"

"What is this student's background, to make our Mayor run over here in person?"

"I'm not sure, the information sent by the County Committee is very simple, there is no other content."

Liu Liu Zengyin patted Zhang Zhang Qingguo on the shoulder and said solemnly:

"Zhang Qingguo! Tell me in detail what the situation is with this student. You should have his contact information, right? No matter what method you use, we must get this matter settled today! Whether the school can seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leave a good impression in front of the city leaders depends entirely on you!"

An important alumnus the Mayor specifically named to see was not on the special guest list; this was already an irrefutable, major error in their school's work.

Now they had to remedy it immediately!

Zhang Zhang Qingguo shuddered and came back to his senses.

Sticky cold sweat rolled down his back instantly.

An incomprehensible sense of absurdity and the fear of having committed a catastrophic disaster instantly engulfed him completely.

He opened his mouth, not knowing what to say for a moment.

Just last night, he had personally decided to remove Liu Liu Qingning and Tang Song from the guest seating and relegate them to the general viewing area.

He had even used this as an excuse to cancel Liu Liu Qingning's speech as an alumni representative.

He had done so at the time merely to free up space to curry favor with Li Li Yunfan, who had suddenly decided to come.

But now, that inconspicuous Tang Song, whom he had kicked aside so casually, had become the "true god" the Mayor specifically named to see.

As long as the other party mentioned him casually in front of the Mayor tomorrow,

his career as a vice principal would be pretty much over.

Seeing Zhang Zhang Qingguo remain silent for so long, looking lost and as if the sky had fallen,

everyone else also sensed that something was wrong.

Principal Liu Liu Zengyin's face became incomparably solemn: "Zhang Qingguo, what exactly is going on?!"

Zhang Zhang Qingguo took a deep breath and recounted the scene that happened in the banquet hall of the Zhende Hotel last night, along with his "impression" of Tang Song and his subsequent decision to cancel Liu Liu Qingning's speaking qualifications, word for word.

As a cadre who had been struggling in the system for many years, he knew very well.

Once a variable of the Mayor's level entered the field, this matter had completely exceeded the scope of what he could handle.

?cO

As he spoke, the atmosphere in the entire office dropped to freezing point.

Several school leaders looked at each other, seeing undisguised shock in each other's eyes.

Liu Liu Zengyin felt the world spinning, his right hand slammed the table, and he was trembling with anger: "You—you—what do you want me to say about you!"

Just now on the phone, Education Bureau Director Chen had repeatedly emphasized "highest standards and greatest sincerity."

And yet, they had turned around and offended the main guest!

If this matter wasn't handled well, let alone leaving a good impression, the professional futures of all of them would be hugely affected.

Zhang Zhang Qingguo was sweating profusely, "This—this was indeed my lack of consideration."

"Principal, now is not the time to assign blame." Another vice principal hurriedly stepped forward to persuade, "The top priority is to find a way to remedy this immediately."

"Right, right, right! Remedy!" Zhang Zhang Qingguo, as if grabbing a life-saving straw, immediately said, "I'll call Liu Liu Qingning and Tang Song right now! Apologize in person!"

As he spoke, he scrambled to pick up the roster from the table, found Liu Liu Qingning's number, and dialed it immediately.

Because Tang Song was only "brought" by Liu Liu Qingning, the school did not have any of his contact information, nor did it record his professional information.

So the only breakthrough now could only be Liu Liu Qingning.

"Beep, beep, beep—"

The phone rang for a long time until it was automatically hung up, never being answered.

Zhang Zhang Qingguo's face turned pale instantly.

Seeing him so distraught, Principal Liu Liu Zengyin's face grew even gloomier.

He slapped his thigh and pointed at Zhang Zhang Qingguo, his tone urgent and forceful: "Immediately contact their former homeroom teacher, Teacher Li Li Gaisu, and have her contact them!"

Zhang Zhang Qingguo realized and hurriedly picked up his phone again.

"Old Wang!" Liu Liu Zengyin said to another vice principal: "Go to the reception office immediately and readjust the guest seating on the podium for tomorrow. No matter what, you must save the two best seats for me!"

"Understood, Principal!"

Liu Liu Zengyin grabbed his briefcase and phone and said in a deep voice: "I am going to the County Committee immediately to report the situation to the leaders in person. This matter is too big; it's no longer something our school can handle on its own."

As he walked, he had already dialed the phone of Education Bureau Director Chen.

"Hello, Director Chen. There is an emergency situation that I must report to you immediately—"

With these calls being made.

Information began to be transmitted rapidly along the chain of power, upward and downward.

The entire administrative system of Jingxian began to rotate at high speed on this ordinary weekend.

Kuangjian Community.

In the bathroom, steam filled the air, staining the frosted glass door with a hazy mist.

Liu Liu Qingning leaned weakly against the warm tiled wall, letting Tang Song hold her and use the showerhead to rinse off the sticky sweat from her body.

This morning, she had truly had her eyes opened.

She never imagined that there could be so much intimacy between a man and a woman,

and this guy Tang Song was clearly well-trained in being gentle and soft, using all sorts of little tricks to bully her until she had no strength to resist.

In the end, she was dragged directly into the bathroom by him.

This was their first... bath together.

And it was in the bathroom of her own home.

This experience, for her, was both shameful and filled with indescribable stimulation.

That set of blue and white school uniforms that carried their entire youth had long since been tossed wet into the washing machine in the corner, spinning quietly.

"Alright, Liu Qingning." Tang Song turned off the water, picked up a bath towel, and carefully wrapped her curvaceous body, which was covered in water droplets, "Let's go to my house for lunch; my parents have already arranged everything, and they have your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs."

His voice sounded exceptionally gentle.

"How do I have the strength to go eat! It's all your fault!" Liu Liu Qingning slapped him on the chest, not too hard and not too soft.

Blushing and keeping her head down, she was helped back to the bedroom by Tang Song.

Then, like a frightened little rabbit, she pushed him out the door and slammed it shut with a "bang."

Liu Liu Qingning finally let out a long sigh of relief. She looked at herself in the mirror, her whole body glowing pink and her eyes misty,

and her cheeks burned again.

After adjusting her mood, putting on clothes, and drying her hair, she picked up her phone, preparing to call her parents.

To ask about their driving situation.

As soon as she unlocked it, she saw 5 missed calls lying on the screen.

There were unfamiliar numbers, as well as one from her homeroom teacher, Li Li Gaisu.

The corners of Liu Liu Qingning's eyes twitched imperceptibly.

With her sharp wit, she guessed what it was about almost instantly.

She walked out of the bedroom and into the living room.

She shook her phone at Tang Song: "It should be that the school already knows about Mayor Li and is calling me like crazy. What do you think I should say back?"

"Whatever you want." Tang Song smiled.

Having received "authorization," Liu Liu Qingning paused for a moment, found Li Li Gaisu's number, and dialed it.

The call was answered almost immediately.

"Hello? Liu Qingning! You finally returned the call!" From the other end of the line came Teacher Li's urgent voice, which was clearly relieved.

"Teacher Li, is there something urgent?"

"Just now, the school leadership called me and said that the previous arrangements had a major error, and now everything has been readjusted. Two seats have been reserved for you and Tang Song on the podium. The previous speech has also been restored—"

Liu Liu Qingning listened quietly, only saying "mm" from time to time, without interrupting.

Until Teacher Li finished, she smiled and said: "Thank you, Teacher Li. However, let's skip the speech. I think it's better to just sit quietly below as an ordinary alumnus and offer blessings to my alma mater; I won't go up on stage to steal the limelight from the leaders and outstanding alumni."

She and Tang Song both had deep feelings for their alma mater and would never really cause trouble at an event like the school anniversary.

But being targeted meant being targeted, and a little, painless "revenge" could also make them feel better.

"This—this won't do—" Teacher Li still wanted to persuade her, her tone full of anxiety.

Liu Liu Qingning, however, smiled and interrupted directly: "Teacher Li, it's really fine, you don't have to be in a difficult position, just tell the school directly."

"Sigh, alright then." Teacher Li knew she couldn't be persuaded, then said cautiously: "Right, Liu Qingning, our Principal Liu wants to call Tang Song personally to apologize in person, and also to mention the specific reception arrangements for tomorrow. Do you think it's convenient to send me Tang Song's mobile number?"

Liu Liu Qingning looked at Tang Song: "Sure, please wait a moment."

After hanging up, Liu Liu Qingning reported to Tang Song and sent the number over.

Soon, the phone rang.

Tang Song answered the phone, his tone calm: "Hello."

"Hello, Principal Liu."

"It's okay, Principal Liu. I came back this time to celebrate my alma mater's birthday. As alumni, we respect whatever arrangements the school makes."

"Mm, mm, okay, goodbye."

After hanging up, Tang Song shrugged and smiled: "It seems our school leaders are quite scared."

Principal Liu Liu Zengyin had been in office for many years; when Tang Song was in high school, he was already the head.

In his memory, this principal was always stern, spoke with great vigor, and was full of the majesty of a superior.

But now on the phone, his voice sounded almost humble, every word chosen carefully, for fear of saying even half a word wrong.

This huge contrast gave him a strange feeling in his heart.

Liu Liu Qingning smiled along and said: "We should go eat, right? Don't keep your parents waiting too long."

"Didn't you say you had no strength left?"

"You bad guy!" Liu Liu Qingning kicked Tang Song's calf lightly and pouted, "Go, help me pack my bag, I'm going to touch up my makeup."

The two of them laughed and packed up, and after Liu Liu Qingning sent a message to her parents, she took Tang Song's hand and walked out the door.

Ten minutes later, the Rolls-Royce Phantom parked steadily in the underground garage of Yunjingtai.

They took the elevator directly to the 5th floor.

As soon as the door opened, a rich aroma of food wafted toward them.

Xu Feng and Tang Tang Jianying, who had been waiting for a long time, saw them enter, and their faces immediately bloomed with smiles.

"Oh my, Liu Qingning is here!"

"Uncle, Auntie, sorry to bother you."

"What polite words are you saying! Come in, come in, the food is just made, we were just waiting for you!"

On the dining table, there was a spread of rich home-cooked dishes.

Sweet and sour pork ribs, steamed sea bass, braised prawns—all were things Liu Liu Qingning loved to eat.

The four of them sat around together, the atmosphere warm and enthusiastic.

Xu Feng kept putting food in Liu Liu Qingning's bowl, asking about her well-being, her affection and satisfaction almost overflowing.

The meal was eaten very pleasantly.

After the meal, Tang Tang Jianying took the initiative to take on the heavy responsibility of washing the dishes, while Xu Feng pulled Liu Liu Qingning and Tang Song along.

They sat on the sofa in the living room, watching TV while chatting about family matters.

Just then.

"Ding-a-ling—"

The video doorbell on the wall suddenly lit up.

Xu Feng got up and walked over, took a look at the screen, and while pressing the unlock button, shouted to Tang Tang Jianying in the kitchen: "Old Tang, it's Tang Maolin and his wife."

"Oh, oh, then I'll go down to the elevator entrance to pick them up." Tang Tang Jianying hurriedly wiped the water off his hands and walked out quickly.

Xu Feng smiled and sat back down beside Tang Song, explaining to him: "Your Uncle Tang Maolin often comes to visit lately. Hearing you were back this time, he's probably here to see you again. Speaking of which, back in our hometown, the fact that your grandparents' house could be renovated so quickly, and the conflict in your fourth uncle's family could be resolved, your Uncle Tang Maolin helped quite a bit in the middle."

Tang Song smiled and understood.

Last time he helped his parents get this apartment through Xie Yue of the Handing Group, it could be considered showing his strength.

For this clan uncle who had been immersed in the system for many years, he naturally knew what to do.

And with his help, his parents' status in the family had indeed improved quite a bit.

After waiting for two or three minutes, the door opened.

Amidst a flurry of warm greetings, Tang Tang Maolin and his wife Li Li Qiaoling walked in, carrying a box of milk and fruit, their posture fully set.

"Uncle Tang Maolin, Auntie Li Qiaoling." Tang Song stood up politely from the sofa and greeted them.

Tang Tang Maolin immediately smiled and walked forward a few steps: "Hey, haven't seen you in a few months, Xiao Song looks even more spirited!"

"That's for sure." Li Li Qiaoling's face wore an incomparably affectionate expression, her gaze shifted and landed on Liu Liu Qingning beside Tang Song, "Oh my, Xiao Song, who is this?"

Xu Feng immediately introduced her proudly: "This is Xiao Song's girlfriend, Liu Liu Qingning."

"Oh my! When did you get a girlfriend? You kept it so tight!" Li Li Qiaoling immediately put on the affectionate posture of an elder, stepped forward to hold Liu Liu Qingning's hand, and her shrewd eyes looked her over from head to toe, praising her incessantly: "This girl is so beautiful! This skin, this figure, just like a star on TV!"

Xu Feng added calmly: "Tang Jianying and I just found out too. The two children were high school classmates, and Liu Qingning was even the county's top scorer in the college entrance exam that year!"

"Top scorer in the college entrance exam?! Oh my! I was wondering why she was so outstanding!" Li Li Qiaoling's voice rose a few notches instantly.

Liu Liu Qingning was made to blush slightly by this back-and-forth, fiery praise, feeling a bit shy.

However, she was someone who had seen big scenes after all, so she quickly adjusted and chatted openly with the two "future relatives."

In the living room, laughter continued for a time.

Li Li Qiaoling fully utilized her talent for "flattery," making the atmosphere incomparably enthusiastic.

And Tang Tang Maolin, most of the time, just sat on the side with a smile, occasionally interjecting a few words, but his gaze always landed on Tang Song from time to time.

After three rounds of tea, the atmosphere was brewed just about right.

Tang Tang Maolin finally seemed to have made up his mind.

He personally picked up the teapot to refill the cup in front of Tang Song, his posture very low.

He cleared his throat and said in a tone that seemed like casual chatting: "That—Xiao Song, there's something Uncle wants to discuss with you."

The laughter in the living room gradually died down.

Tang Song put down the orange in his hand and said gently: "Uncle Tang Maolin, just say whatever you have."

Having received encouragement, Tang Tang Maolin rubbed his hands, his face showing a bit of embarrassment.

He opened his mouth cautiously: "It's like this. I've been working in the unit for almost twenty years, and recently, a chance just happened to come up in the bureau. One of our deputy directors is about to retire, and that deputy director position has become vacant, so I want to strive for it."

After he finished speaking, the entire living room went quiet.

Xu Feng and Tang Tang Jianying looked at each other.

They never expected that such a big matter would be requested of their son.

They had originally thought that Tang Tang Maolin and his wife were here at most to solicit some projects or borrow some money.

Tang Song raised his eyebrows slightly, and soon understood in his heart.

Excluding him, Tang Tang Maolin was the one who had done the best in their family.

He currently worked at the Jingxian Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau; his father said his rank was deputy section level, and he was a section chief of a certain department.

And the deputy director of the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau was also deputy section level; although it was a lateral transfer in terms of rank,

the identity changing from a "middle-level cadre" to a "member of the bureau's leadership team" was also a qualitative leap.

It was estimated that this opportunity was truly rare, which was why this Uncle Tang Maolin would thicken his skin to ask him.

Seeing Tang Song remain silent, Tang Tang Maolin was afraid of a cold atmosphere and hurriedly added:

"Of course, Uncle doesn't want to make things difficult for you. It's just that I know you've made something of yourself now and are the one doing best in our family, so I wanted to see if you know any connections. If it really doesn't work, then forget it, I was just asking presumptuously.

You also know that in the system, things like this aren't enough just by relying on seniority and hard work.

My network of relationships in the county is quite solid, but there are many competitors, all staring at it.

At the critical moment, it might just be that little bit of difference."

After speaking, he looked at Tang Song expectantly and nervously, even holding his breath subconsciously.

The business areas and resources managed by a "deputy director" were far from what a section chief could compare to.

He had struggled for so many years, and it was not easy to finally have an opportunity.

Originally, he had been hesitating to find a suitable time in these two days to call Tang Song and probe his attitude.

After all, he was a "big shot" who knew the heir to the Handing Group, and a "true dragon" who had truly flown out of their Tang family.

If there were any connections in this regard, even just mentioning it might change the direction of this competition.

The atmosphere in the living room was somewhat quiet for a time.

Tang Song looked at the clan uncle in front of him and pondered for a moment before saying: "Alright. How about this, Uncle Tang Maolin, I've noted this matter. Don't worry, we're all family, I'll definitely help if I can."

After all, his parents would still live in Jingxian in the future, and the family also needed someone like Tang Tang Maolin who could speak up in the system to take care of things.

"Hey! Good! Good!" Tang Tang Maolin was so excited that he picked up his teacup, "Xiao Song, Uncle will toast you!"

No matter what, Tang Song agreeing to help meant an opportunity.

"Ding~" The porcelain cups touched.

Tang Song had just put down his teacup.

"Ding-a-ling—"

The phone on the coffee table suddenly rang.

[Principal Liu Liu Zengyin]

Tang Song picked up the phone and answered: "Hello, Principal Liu."

From the other end of the line came Liu Liu Zengyin's incomparably polite voice: "Student Tang Song, sorry to bother you again. It's like this, regarding the reception matters for Mayor Li's visit tomorrow, the leaders here at the County Committee attach great importance to it and are also a bit worried, so they want to communicate with you in person about the specific process before the school anniversary begins, and by the way—also pay a visit to your parents. Do you think—is it convenient now?"

Tang Song's eyebrows twitched imperceptibly, and he subconsciously looked at Tang Tang Maolin, who was sitting upright beside him.

This matter was truly a coincidence.

"Sure, then I'll trouble the leaders to make a trip."

"Not a trouble, not a trouble! Alright, we have already departed from the County Committee and will be at Yunjingtai soon."

"Mm, okay, goodbye."

He hung up the phone.

After hanging up, Liu Liu Qingning leaned over and asked in a low voice: "Is Principal Liu coming over?"

Tang Song blinked and whispered: "Mm, I guess he's afraid I'll 'drop the chain' tomorrow and is worried, so he must come over in person to 'rehearse'."

Liu Liu Qingning covered her mouth and chuckled.

She naturally understood that this was just an excuse for the county leaders to take the opportunity to contact and curry favor in advance.

Hearing their conversation, Tang Tang Maolin was stunned at first, then said with a look of astonishment: "Principal Liu? Is it Principal Liu Liu Zengyin of your No. 1 High School? He's coming over?"

"Mm." Tang Song nodded, "Tomorrow is the school anniversary, Principal Liu might have something to discuss."

"Hehe, that's right." Tang Tang Maolin immediately restored the posture of a senior in the system, a look of understanding on his face, "Tang Song, you are an outstanding alumnus now, it's only right for the principal to come to your door to communicate. Just right, I have also met Principal Liu a few times, I'll accompany you to receive them in a while."

Tang Song smiled and didn't say much.

Xu Feng and Tang Tang Jianying on the side, after hearing "the principal is coming to the house," had already nervously taken action, tidying up the coffee table and preparing new fruit.

Liu Liu Qingning also smiled and got up to help.

Not long after, Tang Song's phone rang again.

It was Principal Liu, saying they were about to enter the residential complex.

Tang Tang Jianying and Xu Feng immediately started putting on their clothes: "I have to go down to pick them up, this is your principal, it's a big deal."

"Right, right, right, let's go together." Tang Tang Maolin also stood up.

In a small place like Jingxian that attaches great importance to education and the system, the principal of No. 1 High School is not just a simple educator.

Holding the best educational resources in the entire county, his social status and implicit influence are no less than the head of a department with real power. Tang Song saw this and had no choice but to hold Liu Liu Qingning's hand and follow them downstairs.

But this was also correct.

After all, it was the principal of his alma mater coming in person, and there were also county leaders accompanying him.

If he didn't go down to welcome them, it would be somewhat unreasonable no matter how you looked at it.

In the afternoon of early winter, the warm sun was shining.

The group had just walked out of the unit door and hadn't had time to stand still.

Several black administrative sedans drove over and stopped one after another in front of Building 8.

Xu Feng and Tang Tang Jianying's hearts jumped; it looked like quite a few people had come.

Tang Tang Maolin's smile, however, froze instantly; he blinked hard, thinking he had seen wrong.

This—this, why are these the County Committee's special cars?!

Having worked in the system for many years, he knew these sensitive license plate numbers by heart.

Just as he was stunned, the car doors opened.

His heart jumped.

The first to come down was not Principal Liu Liu Zengyin as he had imagined, but County Committee Office Director Wang Liwei.

Immediately after, County Propaganda Department Minister Liu Ziqian and County Education Bureau Director Chen Weiming—all were "famous" leaders.

The expression on Tang Tang Maolin's face became exceptionally colorful.

Following that, another figure stepped out of the car.

A loud "buzz" sounded in Tang Tang Maolin's brain, as if he had been struck on the spot by a thunderbolt.

He stood there blankly, his mouth opening subconsciously.

County Committee... Secretary Zhang Chengming?!

What—what is this for? Holding a Standing Committee meeting?